Circuit for measuring phase shift



Feb. 21, 1950 CIRCUIT FOR MEASURING PHASE SHIFTS Filed Dec. 21, 1948 2 Sheeis-Sheet l INVENTOR SIDNEY WALD lma C vh E ATTO R N EY Feb. 21,1950

s. WALD CIRCUIT FOR MEASURING PHASE SHIFTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2]., 1948 WWW W W 2,172" I L flM/-'fl lNVENTOR SIDNEY WALD BY ATTOm Patented Feb. 21, 1950 CIRCUIT FOR MEASURING PHASE SHIFT Sidney Wald, Collingswood, N. 5., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application December 21, 1948, Serial No. 66,554

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a system of and apparatus for comparing two alternating currents and more particularly to a system for determining their difference in phase, or their beat frequency.

Previous indicating instruments for measuring phase differences may be divided broadly into three classes: 1, Crossed-coil instruments of the Tuma type; 2, instruments incorporating thermionic tubes, either vacuum or thyratron types; and 3, differential galvanometer indicators actuated by relays or vacuum tube circuits.

Peterson in United States Letters Patent No. 1,984,585 shows a pair of gas filled tubes in a phase measuring device. In this arrangement, each of the voltages to be compared is utilized, through transformer connections, to control the grid of one thyratron and supply anode voltage to the other thyratron. The difference of the anode currents of the two tubes in such an arrangement is in proportion to the difference in phase of the controlling voltages.

Another prior art method teaches the use of two DArsonval indicating instruments on a common shaft, one of which is responsive through a rectifier to positive polarity voltage pulses, the other of which is responsive to positive current pulses selected by a polar relay which places the second meter across the same voltage pulses, but in synchronism with the current pulses to be compared. The summation of the two is accomplished by the mechanical positioning of the shaft in response to the magnetic torques thus produced.

Other arrangements include thermionic vacuum tube circuits which produce wave forms that may be compared for phase displacement regardless of input voltage or current considerations. Many such vacuum tube circuits are largely independent of frequency.

Another previously disclosed method suggests the use of the secondary half-windings of two split-secondary transformers connected to one winding of a differential galvanometer in aiding relationship, and to the other winding in opposing relationship, and effecting a summation in the magnetic field controlling the moving coil.

Each of these classes of instruments has its field of application, and has proved well suited in certain intended types of measurement of phase differences. Shortcomings, however, limit the application of each. Crossed-coil instruments give false indications if the frequency is changed, due to changes in the reactive and resistive components of the coil branches.

Thermionic tube instruments are bulky, fragile, and usually require an external power supply. Differential galvanometer instruments require a more expensive indicating device.

My invention overcomes objections arising from the above, and provides a simple, rugged, self-contained, portable instrument for measuring phase difference. It is adaptable to cover a wide range of alternating currents with'substantially no deviation due to frequency changes.

It is an object of this invention to provide a phase measuring and beat-frequency indicating device of simple construction, substantially independent of the magnitude of input voltages and. currents, having a power supply independent of the alternating currents to be measured.

Another object of this invention is to provide a phase difference measuring device which will cover a wide range of frequencies with substantially no deviation due to frequency.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a phase measuring device which will be economical and easy to manufacture and which will afford an accuracy previously obtainable only with more complicated and expensive devlces.

Briefly, in accordance with my invention for comparing phase difference or beat frequency of alternating currents, I have provided a source of potential connected across the input terminals of a first reversing circuit actuated in synchronism with one of the input voltages or currents, the output of which is connected to the input terminals of a second reversing circuit actuated in synchronism with the other input voltage or current to be compared, the output of which in turn is connected to a zero-center direct current indicating device. If the voltages or currents to be measured are in phase, reversal by both circuits will be in synchronism and in the same direction, giving current through the meter in one direction. If they are 180 out of phase electrically, the reversals will be in synchronism, but in opposite sense, giving current through the meter in the opposite direction. Intermediate conditions of phase displacment will give meter readings proportional to the phase displacement, as explained below. If there is a difference in frequency between the input voltages, the meter will oscillate at this beat frequency.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be unread in connection with the accompanying drawing in Which Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of one form of my invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a modification of m invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram which utilizes rectifying elements in latticearrangement as reversing circuits and Figure 4 shows current wave forms produced by the apparatus and measured by the same.

Referring to Figure 1, a source ofifixed direct current potential In, such as a battery, is connected to a first reversing circuit"2l,-which is falling within the scope of my invention, the mechanical relays are replaced by lattice networks. In the first reversing circuit, rectifying elements 5i, 52, 53, and 54 and resistance elements 55, 56, 5'5, and 58 are connected as shown in the drawing. Two conduction paths are oifered: the first when a positive voltage appears across resistance ele- ..'ments 57. andv58 insrespect: to that appearing 1 across the other resistance elements 55 and 56,

in which case rectifying elements 5| and 52 be- -=come conducting, and rectifying elements 53 and r v mentsi53 andz5 l thecome conducting, the other controlled by a first input voltage V1. Achange 'rect'ifyingelements 5| and 52 appearing as open in polarity of the input voltage V1 will reverse circuits, th s' 'fiectively rever the d io the polarity of the directecurrentvoltage at the -.of .-.current.fiowat :;the output terminals of the output terminals 28 and 29. The output termne workinals 28 and 29 of the first reversing circuit-"zl Z"T517119 Second reversing c u t p ra es in the are connected to a second reversing circuit 31, Same y and has rectifying elements 3,

.vzWhlCh is'in turncont'rolled: by a second input voltage V2; The output terminals 2.38 and .39 of the -second-reversing circuit-31 are connected to a zero-center direct; current indicating device I i-'40; suchas a direct current ammeter.

. In the preferred embodiment of the-invention shown in Figure lythe reversng circuits are represented by double-armature, two-position, polar- --izedrelays 2B- and 35 connected as shown in the drawing to reverse the polarity of the D; C. volt- 1 age: at the :outputterminals :withtea'ch' change '1 inpolarity ottheactuating voltages V1 andvz.

'-"'.'I=The.first'-.relay ZU'may-be any fofiseveral alterri n'ating'currentrelays. well. known in the art", such asassplit-reed: synchronous vibrator or.a-po1ar-..

ized relay.:-Two=armatures and 2t'arerpro- Jvided which:areaelectrically insulatedbut merchanically. ganged so that 1 they V act in 1 synchronism; l The .first' armature 2i: cooperates with a contact 2 I -:in afiffronti'position; iandanother contact 22 in affbackf. position. The second armaozture Zfi cooperatestwithacontact 23 in a'"fr\o'nt :po'sition; and. another'rtcontact' 24 in a:.-.back poai-sitionl "z-The" terms fronti and .back positions iaretusecl to .difienentiateicthe twonrrpositions the armature will assume, depending upon the:direc- 54 and resistance elementsiifir, 516,1 fifipand fiBfsimilar to. thoseiofiftheefirsta rreversing circuit. The current: wave-form;producedbysthezfirst reversing circuit; is. 1 reversedain z direction ein isynchronism with the second actuating voltage V2 by.the:,:sec- .ond network. Thezaverage value of atheicurrent .twave isvmeasured'x by. s awzeroecenten ldirectncur- 1 rent indicating device. '40

The operation .oisthe above.zcircuitswmayrbestebe 1understood-byarreierenceto- Figure .4. in which current .wave.iformsiaraishowns for.-zthree-s1conditions of phase-xdisplacement.:of..the-. controlling r'voltages. ACurVe A;represents:ethe outputewave forms 'when Vrr and- Vaare-in phase,- and reversals I take lace :in synchronism: and inethesame-sense.

The-solid lines-representthe output 'Of-IdlIBCt -cur-,

rent ata-the terminals -28'and29 of-.the:first.-reversing circuit. Dotted.lines-arel-shown to :indicate .-reversals; bysthe second reversing circuit,-tyieldinga current at the -output terminalsrta candv 39 nrepresentedbyzthe shaded area in curveA.

Curve B representsithecutputwave-forms when :tcircuit, @represented; by-- solid: lines, is:- -reversedv .in

polarityby .thesecond --reversing. circuit-to.- yield itionrof. :current; flow in l the :relay; windings. The :second:relay- 36 isesimilan torzthe .-'firsttrelayr. 20, 0: having twov electrically.: insulated;*mechanic'ally 1 hen :the:reversals/take.placeput of: rphaseyrthe .--.resultant average. current isc-seen 'to :be annaxianoutputecurrent represented byltheishaded. area.

--.tganged armatures-r35 andrBB. .On'ithis'second I :relay 3B, the first=armature .35' cooperates with a w contact 312 in afront? positiomaand another contact-32c ina back' position. The :second .-':.armature'r36"of the second relay.fiwmcooperates With-arcontact 33 m a front positionnandramother contact 34 in a back: position.

-InFigure 2,-a' circuit 'similar to that shown'in -Figure cl'is provided but amodification in themmput circuitsto the'controlling relay windings allowsatheuse of neutral spring-biasedrelays. The 2 :modification consists of.-half.-wave rectifying elementslZ and I3 inserted-inrseries with-sthewind- .gings of the two relays 20 and 39. Current flowing inone direction: would beofiered littlemesistance ,by-the rectifying. elements l2 and-i3 and-would,

w-magnetize the relay andmull the. arinatures;-25, s 2.6, 35 and 35 into a front position. .t-Current *i'flowing' in the'opposite directionwould-benilered i: great: resistance; and sustantiallyalittle; current would flow; consequently the armatures-would :not be magnetically attracted, and.--springi biasing wsmeans Mwand' l5:would hold.the armatures in :f-.back condition. This wouldiresult in thetsame -operation astheuse of'polarized relays.

'1; :In :Figure 3,-rwhichcillustrates :a-:-.modifica-tion, g

mum inthe positive direction, as. opposed to .the

.. in-phase condition-shown by a; curve A, .Which produced a inegative. maximum.

-:When.-the.two voltages V-l and Vaarein-phase quadrature, the average value of the outputwave is-zero asshown in :curve .C. of- Figure 4. Intermediate conditions. of, phase displacementswill give. amaverage. .current.proportional. to .the. .de-

. unbalance-ofrvoltages'.orteurrents would-bepindicated byithree suchreversingacircuits in: tandem,

.. 1 six :heing-erequirecl for six-phasecircuits; .and so on- The principle of :opera-tionis, .the". same as .that rfOI-= =tWOrrCLl1'1'6I1tS -or z -voltages as.--.described above. 7

.rIt willbegapparent to one skilled-imthe-artsthat tseveralmodifications; could :be rmadenwithout -de- -parting: from; l the; scope: of/zthe. invention; :1 The indicating device could be interchanged with respect to the wiring configuration of the reversing circuits, and the same results obtained. Shunts or series resistances may be provided to adjust the maximum reading of the meter to the graduations, as required by loss of voltage or change in the direct-current source. A battery switch may be added to prevent power drain. Adjustable transformers for the input relays would make the relays responsive over a larger range of input voltages. A modulator composed of rectifying elements in a bridge arrangement instead of the lattice shown in Figure 3 would achieve the same result, but with a loss of sensitivity, since only half of the wave is utilized, and alternate half cycles would be shorted by the network. These additions or modifications are refinements lending only convenience in use and do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as stated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for indicating the phase relationship between a plurality of alternating current voltages comprising, in combination a first relay actuated by and in synchronism with one of said voltages, a second relay actuated by and in synchronism with another of said voltages, each of said relays having a pair of ganged separately conducting armatures, each of said armatures having contacting surfaces alternately cooperative with front and back contacts; said relays connected as two reversing circuits, each circuit including two input terminals and two output terminals said input terminals constituting the said separate armatures of the same relay, one of said output terminals being connected to both the said front contact cooperating with a contacting surface of the said first armature and the said back contact cooperating with a contacting surface of the said second armature, the other of said output terminals being connected to both the said back contact cooperating with a contacting surface of the said first armature and the said front contact cooperating with a contacting surface of the said second armature; a source of fixed potential connected across the input terminals to said first reversing circuit; the output terminals of said first reversing circuit connected to the input terminals of said second reversing circuit; a direct current indicating device connected across the output terminals of said second reversing circuit.

2. Apparatus for indicating the phase relationship between a plurality of alternating current voltages comprising in combination a first relay actuated by and in synchronism with one of said voltages, a second relay actuated by and in synchronism with the other of said voltages, each of said relays being connected to reverse the direction of current fiow between its input and. output terminals with each alternation of said voltage actuating the said relay; a source of fixed potential connected across the input terminals to said first reversing circuit; the output terminals of said first reversing circuit connected to the input terminals of said second reversing circuit; and a direct current indicating device connected across the output terminals of said second reversing circuit.

3. Apparatus for indicating the phase relationship between a plurality of alternating current voltages comprising, in combination a first split- 6 reed synchronous vibrator relay actuated by and in synchronism with one of said voltages, a second split-reed synchronous vibrator relay actuated by and in synchronism with the other of I said voltages, each of said relays having a pair of ganged separate conducting armatures, each of said armatures having contacting surfaces alternately cooperative with front and back contacts; each of said relays being connected to reverse the direction of current flow between its input and output terminals with each alternation of said voltage actuating the said relay; a source of fixed potential connected across the input terminals to said first reversing circuit; the output terminals of said first reversing circuit connected to the input terminals of said second reversing circuit; a direct current indicating device connected across the output terminals of said second reversing circuit.

4. Apparatus for indicating the phase relationship betweena plurality of alternating current voltages comprising, in combination a first audio frequency relay actuated by and in synchronism with one of said voltages, a second audio frequency relay actuated by and in synchronism with the other of said voltages, each of said relays having a pair of ganged separate conducting armatures; each of said armatures having contacting surfaces alternately cooperative with front and back contacts, each of said relays being connected to reverse the direction of current flow between its input and output terminals with each alternation of said voltage actuating the said relay; a source of fixed potential connected across the input terminals to said first reversing circuit; a connection between the output terminals of said first reversing circuit and the input terminals of said second reversing circuit; and a direct current indicating device connected across the output terminals of said second reversing circuit.

5. The method of indicating the phase relationship between alternating currents comprising: providing a source of direct current, and a plurality of sources of alternating currents, re versing the polarity of said direct current in synchronism with a first alternating current, reversing the polarity of the current wave thus produced in synchronism with a second alternating current, and indicating the average value of the wave thus produced.

6. The method of indicating the phase relationship between alternating currents comprising: providing a source of direct current and a plurality of sources of alternating currents, passing said direct current through a series of reversing circuits, reversing the current supplied to each reversing circuit in synchronism with a different one of said alternating currents, and indicating the average value of the wave thus produced.

SIDNEY WALD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 508,489 Scott Nov. 14, 1893 1,680,739 Kennedy Aug. 14, 1921 2,118,483 Woodman May 24, 1938 2,217,477 Gulliksen Oct. 8, 1940 

